Der Handel mit Optionen gewinnt auf volatileren Agrarmärkten zunehmend an Bedeutung. Nun stellt sich die Frage, ob der Optionshandel ein sinnvolles Instrument zur Risikoabsicherung von Landwirten und Landhändlern darstellt oder ob er vielmehr ein Treiber der Agrarpreisvolatilität ist. Die...

The framework presents how trading in the foreign commodity futures and domestic forward foreign exchange markets can affect the optimal spot positions of domestic commodity producers and traders. It generalizes the models of Kawai and Zilcha (1986) and Kofman and Viaene (1991) to allow both...

Variations in fine wine prices can be prominent and have widespread economic and financial implications. Although fine wine investments are dominated by French wines, we demonstrate that significant international diversification benefits exist for investors in Italian, Australian and Portuguese...

We use the classic agency model to derive a time-varying optimal hedge ratio for low-frequency time-series data: the type of data used by crop farmers when deciding about production and about their hedging strategy. Rooted in the classic agency framework, the proposed hedge ratio reflects the...

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) abandoned the live hog futures contract (physical delivery) in December 1996 and replaced it with the lean hog futures contract (cash settlement), with the intention of improving the effectiveness of the contract as a risk management tool. This paper applies...

Prior to 1986, any opening position on feeder cattle futures contract must be settled with physical delivery after the last trading day. Due to dwindling commercial interests, Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) subsequently replaced the system with the cash settlement method. It was argued that...

Prior to 1986, any opening position on feeder cattle futures contract must be settled with physical delivery after the last trading day. Due to dwindling commercial interests, Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) subsequently replaced the system with the cash settlement method. It was argued that...

In the late 1990s, as economists looked back the development period in Africa since 1970s, they put forward the notion “African growth tragedy” , meaning that Africa's poor growth and resulting low income is associated with low schooling, political instability, underdeveloped financial...

Drawing on insights of current and past editors of top economics and finance journals, we provide guidelines for reviewers in preparing referee reports and cover letters for journals. Peer review is fundamental to the progress of science and we believe that fundamental changes in reviewing...

Peer review is fundamental to the efficacy of the scientific process. We draw from our experience both as editors, authors and association representatives to provide a set of guidelines for referees in preparing their reports and cover letters to journal editors. While our document is directed...